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Arts & Culture

Donna Summer Musical Heads To Broadway

A 2016 photo of the cast of La Jolla Playhouse’s world premiere of "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical."
Kevin Berne
A 2016 photo of the cast of La Jolla Playhouse’s world premiere of "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical."

This marks the sixth La Jolla Playhouse show to play on Broadway this season

"Summer: The Donna Summer Musical," the glitzy show about the queen of disco is going to Broadway.

This shouldn't surprise anyone who has already seen the high-tech musical about the life of Donna Summer. Since opening last month, it's wowed audiences thanks to a flashy set, an outstanding cast and, of course, iconic music.

Directed by Des McAnuff, the musical is finishing its world-premiere run at the La Jolla Playhouse. It's scheduled to open on Broadway's Lunt Fontanne Theatre April 23, with previews starting March 28, 2018.

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The musical showcases three actresses who represent various phases of Summer's life. In San Diego, Broadway veteran LaChanze plays the elder "Diva Donna;" "Hamilton's" Ariana DeBose plays "Disco Donna" at the height of her fame; and "Freaky Friday's" Storm Lever is the young "Duckling Donna."

Casting has not been announced for the Broadway production.

"Summer" is the sixth Playhouse-born show to go to Broadway this season. Others include the Tony-nominated "Come From Away" and "Indecent," as well as "Junk," John Leguizamo's "Latin History for Morons" and the soon-to-open "Escape to Margaritaville."

Donna Summer Musical Heads To Broadway
"Summer: The Donna Summer Musical" is La Jolla Playhouse's sixth show to play on Broadway this season.